Cristiano Ronaldo Header And Quick Nani Second Lead Portugal Past Wales 2-0 In Euro 2016 Semifinal

Cristiano Ronaldo and winger Nani led Portugal to a 2-0 victory over Wales in the UEFA Euro 2016 semifinal in Lyon, France on Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo Header And Quick Nani Second Lead Portugal Past Wales 2-0

Ronaldo scored on a header just five minutes into the second half. Portugal won a corner on the left, although Wales believed there was a foul that should have gone their way. It was played short to 22-year-old Portuguese defender Raphaël Guerreiro, who curved a spectacular first-time ball to the far post. About eight yards from the goal, Ronaldo jumped and thumped a header high into the net past Welsh goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to give his team a 1-0 lead.

Three minutes later, the 31-year-old Real Madrid forward misfired a low cross-shot about 25 yards from goal to the right of center, but Nani slid to kick it in to the right side to double Portugal’s lead.

With his goal, Ronaldo tied former French player Michel Platini’s record of nine goals at the finals of the European Championships.

Star Wales winger Garreth Bale briefly flickered in the first half, and nearly earned the opportunity to score one of the greatest goals of the tournament, but his 50-yard run ended with a shot that was saved by Portugal goalie Rui Patricio in the 21st minute. Bale also hit a shot over the crossbar from the edge of the box two minutes earlier.

The game marked the first time Wales had reached the last four of a major tournament.

Both sides had to reorganize after their quarter-final victories, with James Collins and Andy King making their first starts of the tournament after influential Welsh pair Ben Davies and Aaron Ramsey were both suspended.

Portugal was missing midfielder William Carvalho due to suspension, and the failure of Real Madrid defender Pepe to recover from a thigh injury saw Bruno Alves playing at central defense.

There was also a late flourish from Bale with two powerful attempts from long distance, as well as a booking for a high foot on Portugal’s Cedric Soares with less than five minutes left.

Renato Sanches also led a Portugal break before crashing a shot high over the bar from the edge of the box in the 73rd minute.

Bale was fouled by Joao Mario 35 yards from goal with about 10 minutes remaining. He took a free-kick for Wales. It appeared to be Wales’ last scoring chance, but Bale crashed it into the wall. Bale picked up the rebound but was flattened by Nani. However, the referee waved play on.

At the end of the match, Ronaldo hugged Bale, his Real Madrid teammate.

Portugal will next face the winner of France vs Germany in Sunday’s final. The other semifinal will take place in Marseille on Thursday afternoon.

PHOTO: LYON, FRANCE – JULY 06: Portugal player Cristiano Ronaldo in action during the UEFA EURO 2016 semi final between Wales and Portugal at Stade des Lumieres on July 6, 2016 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena